Luxury-like largesse, value-loaded price

The 2017 Kia Cadenza is a defining example of largesse. This large-midsize sedan has been completely re-engineered and redesigned with a wealth of entry-lux features, materials and technologies. The refinement flirts with luxury, but it is durable for the wear and tear of family life.

Midsize sedans are the meat of the car segment, mostly because of pricing — from the mid-$20,000s to near $40,000 “popularly equipped.” But moving up to the slightly larger dimensions of the Cadenza provides a little more room to stretch out at a value-loaded price. It compares to the Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala and Chrysler 300.

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The front seat area is fully functioning with full-bodied seats and buttons and dials for hands-on cabin controls

The front seat area is fully functioning with full-bodied seats and buttons and dials for hands-on cabin controls (Kia)

The re-engineered model has the same overall length as the outgoing model but is slightly wider and lower in height. The wheelbase has been stretched slightly, which added nearly a half-inch to the rear legroom. The roofline was extended more than 2 inches rearward, while maintaining rear headroom and slightly improving trunk space.

The Cadenza is a simple package, sold in three trim levels, all front-wheel drive with one choice of engine and transmission. Starting prices range from $32,890-$45,290, including the $900 freight charge from Hwaseong, Korea. The warranty is large, too, with coverage of 5-

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Snow White Pearl leather upholstery.

Snow White Pearl leather upholstery. (Kia)

years/80,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance and 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain

Today’s tester is the topline Limited, $45,290, which had no options or accessories ­— and I couldn’t think of much more to add to it. It isn’t just the long list of standard equipment that makes a value statement, it is also the quality to the pieces and how well they are assembled. And with the size comes V-6 power, good fuel economy on regular unleaded and a high-strength, safety-cage cabin.

The engine is a revised version of Kia’s 3.3-liter direct-injection V-6, now with 290-horsepower with 253 foot-pounds torque at 5,200 rpm. The eight-speed Sportmatic transmission doles out easy shifts to keep the power flowing. The torque peaks at high rpms so the launch force is not jack-rabbit quick, but hit the pedal hard and the front tires will break loose. Four-wheel disc brakes have generous 12.6-inch front rotors and 11.8 inches at the rear.

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The shifter console is smartly arranged with an e-bin that has a 180-watt 12-volt plug, USB port, aux-in and wireless charging pad.

The shifter console is smartly arranged with an e-bin that has a 180-watt 12-volt plug, USB port, aux-in and wireless charging pad. (Kia)

In testing, the V-6 was run at full power and under full-load conditions for 41 consecutive days, which translated to more than 100,000 miles of real-world use, Kia says.

Designed in Irvine, the second-generation Cadenza has fast lines and a slipperier shape. The coefficient of drag was shaved from 0.29 to 0.28, which now matches the Toyota Avalon hybrid (and the Prius is lowest at 0.24 cd).

It is an enjoyable and responsive car. The ride quality is solid and the cabin is well soundproofed. There is acoustic-absorbing laminate in the front windows and windshield to reduce wind noise; a full underbody floorpan helps seal out road noise; and more insulation at the windshield pillars further blunts noise and harshness.

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In testing, the V-6 was run at full power and under full-load conditions for 41 consecutive days, which translated to more than 100,000 miles of real-world use, Kia says.

In testing, the V-6 was run at full power and under full-load conditions for 41 consecutive days, which translated to more than 100,000 miles of real-world use, Kia says. (Kia)

The interior has modern appeal with nontraditional wood tones, but there might be a bit too much piano black trim — though it contrasted nicely with the tester’s Snow White Pearl leather upholstery. The front seat area is fully functioning with full-bodied seats and buttons and dials for hands-on cabin controls (rather than a central controller or touchscreen-only access).

The power front seats adjust 14 ways for the driver and 10 ways for the passenger. The shifter console is smartly arranged with an e-bin that has a 180-watt 12-volt plug, USB port, aux-in and wireless charging pad. And there is another 180-watt 12-volt plug in the armrest console. Other rewarding extras include smartkey locking and push-button ignition, an electric parking brake, heated and cool seats and a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The driver has good over-the-shoulder visibility, but the outstretched windshield pillars have a wide base that complicates views at the side mirrors. The 360-degree camera is a help when steering into a parking space.

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The new architecture also adds shoulder room and more rear legroom with a generous 16 cubic of trunk space.

The new architecture also adds shoulder room and more rear legroom with a generous 16 cubic of trunk space. (Kia)

Back seat legroom is a long 37.6 inches with a low exhaust tunnel. But rear seat amenities took the budget hit. There are no charging ports (12-volt or USB), no side air vents and no folding seatback. But there are coat hooks and grab handles, a padded center armrest with cup holders (and a ski pass-through), bottle holders in the doors and seatback pockets. The Limited includes side window sunshades and a power rear sunshade.

This heaping helping of a large midsize car is a cheapskate’s choice for luxury, but there's nothing cheaply made about it.